Last night marked the end of the road for the 2016-2017 NCAA Basketball season. The Tar Heels of UNC battle head to head with the Gonzaga Bulldogs in a battle of number 1’s that would determine the national champions. North Carolina is no stranger to the big game, nor the big dance, though this was the first time that Gonzaga has been to the Final Four. Both teams deserved their spot, both teams bringing the best of their game all year long resulting in quite an impressive record in the process. The game was packed full of emotion and talent, providing one of the most memorable and closest games that we’ve witnessed this year. No matter if you are a Tar Heel or a Bulldog, both teams left it all on the court during an impressive final battle!

The first half seemed to belong to Gonzaga from the jump, thought UNC never let them get too far ahead. Both teams started off a bit slow and then picked things up once they seemed to get rid of their nerves. Settling into their game, Gonzaga appeared to shock UNC with their size and strength inside. However, the Bulldogs outside game was working quite well. Behind some great play from Perkins who managed 13 points and two assists, Gonzaga looked good. UNC didn’t look too shabby either. Their stars like Berry, Jackson, and Hicks brought the fight and managed to keep things close through Gonzaga’s runs. Both teams aimed to bring their own tempo and force their opposition into uncomfortable situations, however, both played through the adversary rather well. The first half certainly didn’t disappoint, keeping things close, clean and fun to watch in the process. Rolling into the second half, fans of both teams were certainly on the edge of their seats. The score at the half was 35-32.

The second half saw UNC get off to a fast start. Jackson’s game started picking up while the UNC defense inside was impeccable. Their offensive speed was something Gonzaga couldn’t keep up with as UNC went on an 8-0 run to start the second half. However, Gonzaga would make their way back into the game. With just under fifteen minutes left UNC went on a four-minute scoring drought that let the Bulldogs get back in the match. Battling back and forth, swapping the lead through the next few minutes a flagrant foul on Karnowski seemed to changed the energy for Gonzaga. UNC continued to struggle at the line at this time while Gonzaga’s offense inside matched well against UNC’s trees in the middle. Zach Collins fouled out for Gonzaga with five minutes left, while Josh Jackson started struggling to hit shots from UNC. With two minutes left and the game tied, Jackson put together a big ‘and 1’ play underneath before Gonzaga’s Williams-Goss rolled his ankle. With just 21 seconds left Hicks hit a big shot for UNC putting them up by three before Kennedy Meeks put together two of the greatest defensive plays of his college career. He helped seal another title for UNC with a huge block on Williams-Goss before stealing an inbound pass to lead UNC to a six-point victory.

After a long and hard-fought battle, the UNC Tar Heels are the 2016-2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Champions once again. Let us take nothing away from the Gonzaga Bulldogs, as they battled UNC to the very last second. UNC seemed hungrier from the jump, and rightfully so after looking to avenge their loss in last year’s championship game against Villanova. The squad led by Roy Williams brought their A-game as Berry ended up with 22 points and six assists, Jackson had 16 with some big plays at the very end of the game, while Hicks had 13 points and nine massive rebounds. However, Kennedy Meeks 7 points, ten rebounds, and those two well-timed defensive plays certainly propelled the Heels to the title. Congrats to the University of North Carolina for another NCAA Championship, and congrats to Gonzaga for an incredible season and for putting up quite a fight in the season finale! Let us know your thoughts on the big game in the comments below.